Whistleblower Blog

During the reading a found passage that not only stood out to me but find it to be relevant to my service-learning. “One might argue that although whistleblowers are not connected to those they benefit, the structure of their imagination for consequences is nonetheless the structure of all empathy: taking up in one’s imagination the place of the other” (68). The realization a person has when understanding the decisions being made at the time are enough or the wrong ones, that something must be done in order to prevent disaster from occurring. Seeing the bigger picture and not being able to stop thinking about what could happen if he/she doesn’t speak up and do anything about it. Having the non-stop inner dialogue of how people we will never know, will be affected by decisions made by others. The characteristic of empathy I believe is what allows the individual to make better decisions in life to stand up for what they believe is right even though they are told to drop the subject. My service-learning partner is Marin Link in which I am helping in the 2010 Marin Green Business Forum with this year’s theme being “How Sustainable Business Practices Create Opportunity and Jobs.” A lot of controversy has surrounded the issue of global warming with people being skeptical of whether this problem actually exists, whether is manmade or naturally occurring. Although skepticism may exist among this issue there are people who believe global warming is a problem and will only get worse if we do not take action now. This year Marin Green Business Forum will inform the community the steps companies are taking to become green and how some people have started sustainable business and been successful. People who worked on organizing the Marin Green Business Forum are doing it to inform the people and to protect the planet for future generations. Global warming is affecting everyone and will affect the people that live after we are gone; it is the inner feeling of not being to stop thinking about the others and the future we have left them.
Helping with this year’s forum has showed me there are people out there taking steps to fix a problem that many people aren’t willing to acknowledge or willing to fix. Instead of waiting for others they have taken the initiative to take on the problem head on while informing people of progress that is being done. While walking through 4th street asking businesses if I could post posters promoting the 2010 Marin Green Business Forum I saw how some people thought it was good this type of event was going on. Working for Marin Link is important to me because I realize and see firsthand how an organization is taking into consideration a big problem and is actually doing something about it. Whether is helping with the mailing or putting up posters around town I am glad to be a part of the project because instead of waiting around for things to get worse we are taking action now. I continue to learn more with everyday I work with Marin Link of the importance of seeing the picture of the problem and then going about to find solutions. Businesses are established to make profits and few businesses have attempted to transition into becoming green but hopefully with more people realizing the advantages of going green more and more businesses will be willing to make the transition. Once this happen the ideology of profit coming first over anything will change and the number one importance will be the people and the planet.